SUMMARY: The proposed regulation adopts and modifies certain standards published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) involved with the installation, testing and maintenance of certain fire protection systems as required by the Montgomery County Building Prevention Code, the Montgomery County Fire Safety Code, and the Maryland State Fire Prevention Code. The changes do not retroactively apply to unaltered existing buildings, existing systems or existing conditions permitted or approved before the date of adoption of this regulation, unless inimical or distinct hazard exists. The Department of Permitting Services has been delegated the authority by the Fire Chief (Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service) to adopt regulations pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Montgomery County Code in the cases of a new building, a new system, or new conditions. The proposed regulation would supersede Executive Regulation 9-12.

PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing will be held on proposed Executive Regulation 19-13 on Wednesday, 12/04/13, at 6:00 PM, 255 Rockville Pike, 2nd Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20850. To testify at the public hearing contact Joseph Felton at 240-777-6208, TTY Number 240-777-6256.

SUMMARY: The proposed regulation adopts the applicable editions of various National Fire Protection (NFPA) standards – most notably NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code – as adopted by the Maryland State Fire Prevention Code. These codes and the associated codes and standards incorporated by reference are adopted to set the minimum requirements to establish a reasonable level of safety from the hazards created by fire, explosion, and dangerous conditions. The changes do not retroactively apply to unaltered existing buildings, existing systems or existing conditions permitted or approved before the date of adoption of this regulation unless inimical or distinct hazard exists. The Department of Permitting Services has been delegated the authority by the Fire Chief (Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service) to adopt regulations pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Montgomery County Code in the cases of a new building, a new system, or new conditions. Existing buildings, existing systems, or existing conditions which are altered are subject to this regulation to the extent required by the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code, the Montgomery County Fire Safety Code, and the Maryland State Fire Prevention Code. Unaltered existing buildings, existing systems, or existing conditions are not subject to this regulation where no inimical or distinct hazard exists.

PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing will be held on proposed Executive Regulation 19-13 on Wednesday, 12/04/13, at 5:00 PM, 255 Rockville Pike, 2nd Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20850. To testify at the public hearing contact Hemal Mustafa at 240-777-6226, TTY Number 240-777-6256.